Rat gets into ATM, shreds nearly $20,000

June 22 (UPI) -- Police in India said a rat was to blame for destroying about $20,000 worth of currency inside a state-run bank's ATM.

Tinsukia Police said officials with the State Bank of India branch contacted investigators this month to report 12,38,000 rupees -- nearly $20,000 -- had been found shredded inside an ATM on the outskirts of the town.

Police said the ATM had been broken down since May 20 for what was thought to be a technical problem, but technicians didn't attempt to fix it until June 11 and the shredded cash was reported to investigators on June 14.

Investigators said the cause of the shredded cash was revealed when a rat carcass was found among the destroyed banknotes.

Police said rat may have entered the machine through a small opening meant for wires and no foul play on the part of humans is suspected.